Asked by: Lord Morris of Aberavon (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to examine the operation of section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The Service Justice System is kept under regular review and is subject to Parliamentary scrutiny every five years when the Armed Forces Act 2006 is renewed. The last such renewal was in 2016 and, during the passage of the Armed Forces Act, key aspects of the system were scrutinised and debated in both Houses and no significant changes to the system were made. The provisions of the Act will next need to be renewed in 2021 and we are already beginning to think about how best to use that opportunity to look at key aspects of the Service Justice System to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our Armed Forces
Asked by: Lord Morris of Aberavon (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the rules of engagement for British soldiers embedded with the United States forces in Iraq have been changed; and whether those rules allow military action outside Iraq.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The UK does not comment on rules of engagement (ROE) used by other Nations. However, UK personnel embedded with other nations remain subject to UK military jurisdiction and are personally responsible for ensuring that their actions when acting in self defence or participating in, or supporting, offensive operations are in accordance with UK law and with the UK's interpretation of international law.